Data from gather pages indicate that accidental deaths during roundups between July 1 and September 30, such as a mare crashing into a pipe panel and breaking her neck, accounted for a little more than a third of the total.
Intentional deaths, such as a stallion being euthanized for blindness or missing teeth, accounted for the remainder.
The advocates, interested in helping the ranchers and expanding their fertility control programs, argue that motorized removal must be stopped to prevent the fatalities.
But which ones?
In catch-treat-release, helicopters would be used to corral the herds, so no improvement there.
In field darting, deaths would be replaced by injuries and infections, and, over the long run, permanent infertility, loss of genetic diversity and herd collapse.
As for the intentional deaths, that effort goes on year around, not just during roundups.
If the advocates were successful, no foals would be born so there would be no deaths due to emaciation, blindness, club feet, etc.
The older horses would die and the ranchers would have all the resources to themselves.
PREVIOUS: Foal-Free Friday, Breaking the Mold Edition.
► Get the truth about wild horses and the wild horse advocates at westernhorsewatchers.com.
